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Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V . Zichi J.D.
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Biography
Helping Livingston County residents navigate the legal system for 30 years. I focus on Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate, with a significant portion of my practice also concerning Real Estate and general civil litigation. If you have questions or issues with your home, a cabin up north, or want to insure your family is cared for after you are gone, I'd be happy to meet with you, perhaps bust some myths, and certainly insure YOUR and your family's needs are met. Call for an appointment today!
Education
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- J.D.
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- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- A.B. | History / Communications
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- Honors: LS&A Honors College 1977-1979
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Professional Experience
- Owner
- Kenneth V . Zichi J.D.
- - Current
- Mayor
- City of Williamston (Michigan)
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Speaking Engagements
- Newsroom Seminar, WNEM TV/AM - Saginaw MI
- State Bar of Michigan - Law & Media committee
- An hour-long seminar addressing some of the common practical and substantive difficulties journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan.
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Michigan
- Member
- - Current
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- estate and probate section Michigan bar
- member
- - Current
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- Law and Media committee - State Bar of Michigan
- member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Michigan
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Fees
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Free Consultation
Telephone [(810) 299-5222] or office conferences, 20 minutes or less. Longer conferences may incur a minimal fee. - Contingent Fees
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Insurance Claims
- Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
- Landlord Tenant
- Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Tenants' Rights
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. My mother passed last month, leaving no one as a beneficiary on her 401k.
- A: PoAs are ineffective after the principal dies so that means nothing. Did she have a will and was there a personal representative named in it?
If so that person has ‘priority’ to start probate. If not you and all your siblings — assuming your mom was unmarried at the time she passed — all have equal priority to start probate.
The process is fairly straightforward but the details are important and not ‘obvious’.
I’d urge you to consult with a local licensed probate attorney to help with the process. Probate MAY be needed but there might also be alternatives— that local attorney can analyze the situation and provide advice.
- Q. If a quit claim deed doesn’t say rights of survivorship is it void?
- A: A deed does not HAVE to reference survivorship to be ‘valid’ but it WILL impacct HOW it works.
Without seeing the deed and understanding exactly what your question is, an answer is impossible though.
I’d urge you to bring the document(s) to a licensed local attorney to review. Short of that — we’re shooting in the dark!
- Q. My family home has been left to me. How do I get my name on the deed? The deed is clear. What do I do now?
- A: That depends on how it was 'left' to you.
By a ladybird deed? Record the appropriate death certificate(s) and property transfer affidavits with the appropriate agencies.
By Will? Probate the estate and the PR can transfer by deed.
Some other way? Some other procedure probably.
You need to take your question to a qualified licensed local attorney to review all the facts and provide specific advice of what to do next.
That said, paying any back taxes ASAP is a good first step no matter what, so you're on the right track, but there will be details that shouldn't necessarily be shared in a public forum like this that will impact the next steps. Seek that local legal ... Read More
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